FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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JOHN L. WINN
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. W
FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Contact Persons
Name:
Lorraine H. Allen
Jenifer
Thorn
Phone:
(850) 245-0416
(850) 245-0480
Suncom:
205-0668
205-0480
Email:
Lorraine.Allen@fldoe.org
Jenifer.Thorn@fldoe.org
DPS: 05-064
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
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District School Superintendents
FROM:
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Jim Warford
DATE:
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December 9, 2004
SUBJECT:
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District Physical Education Policy Submission Process – Due December 15,
2004
Section 1003.455(2), Florida Statutes, states that each district school board shall, no later than
December 1, 2004, adopt a written physical education policy that details the school district’s
physical education program and expected program outcomes. It further states that each district
school board shall provide a copy of its written policy to the Department of Education by
December 15, 2004. If a district does not adopt a physical education policy by December 1,
2004, it shall, at a minimum, implement a mandatory physical education program for
kindergarten through grade 5 which provides students with 30 minutes of physical education
each day, three days per week (see link to statute below):
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&UR
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L=Ch1003/SEC455.HTM&Title=->2004->Ch1003->Section%20455#1003.455
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JIM WARFORD
K -12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509• www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
December 9, 2004
Page Two
Districts may provide a copy of the written policy to the Department of Education via e-mail or by
regular mail. Policies must be received in the Department of Education on or by
December 15, 2004.
To submit the policy via e-mail, attach the electronic document file (either as a
Microsoft Word or a PDF file) or provide in the e-mail the web link to the policy and send to
Lorraine.Allen@fldoe.org. To submit by regular mail, please send a hard copy of the policy and an
electronic copy (Microsoft Word or PDF file) on a disk, to:
Ms. Lorraine Allen
Office of Safe and Healthy Schools
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 501
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
A faxed copy will be accepted as long as an electronic version of the policy is submitted within a
reasonable timeframe after the deadline. The fax number is 850-245-9978 or Suncom 205-9978.
If a district cannot meet the December 15, 2004, deadline due to the impact of the recent hurricanes,
please inform Ms. Allen as soon as possible. The Department will deal with this as a hurricane-
related waiver. Requests for such a waiver should include the specific date for the submission of the
policy. A waiver must be submitted to:
Mr. Jim Warford, K-12 Chancellor
Division of Public Schools and Student Achievement
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 514
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Also attached are “Questions and Answers” regarding this requirement. If additional clarification is
needed, or if you have additional questions, please contact Ms. Allen or Ms. Thorn, using the contact
information provided in this memorandum.
JW/lha
Attachment
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents
for Curriculum and Instruction
District Physical Education Contacts/Supervisors
Florida Department of Education
Written Physical Education Policy
Pursuant to Section 1003.455(2), Florida Statutes
“Questions and Answers”
Policy Requirements
Q1:
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Is it appropriate to adopt the written physical education policy in the Student Progression Plan?
A1:
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The law does not stipulate where the policy must be placed; only that the district must have one. The policy
may be incorporated into the Student Progression Plan or other document as determined by the district.
Q2:
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Are there specific requirements that must be addressed in the written physical education policy?
A2:
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Yes, the law provides that the written physical education policy should detail the school district’s physical
education program and expected program outcomes.
(The law does not stipulate that it should be separated
into programs for elementary, middle, and high school.)
Q3:
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Can the district’s written policy provide for physical education for less than 30 minutes a day, three
times per week?
A3:
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Yes, there are no mandates relate
d to frequency or duration for physical education in the law, except in the
absence of an adopted policy. The Department is interested in documenting the current policies as they exist
in district policy.
Policy Recommendations
Q4:
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The law states, “Physical education shall consist of physical activities of at least a moderate intensity
level and for a duration sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students, subject to the
differing capabilities of students.” What does “duration” mean in this instance?
A4:
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The Legislature did not define “duration” in this section of law. Districts are expected to fulfill the spirit of
the law when determining their physical education policy.
Q5:
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What are the national recommendations or standards districts should follow when developing their
written physical education policy?
A5:
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At this time, the Department is not promoting the use of any single national policy. This is a matter of local
control, and districts must make this decision. For information only, links are provided below to national
organizations and their recommendations for physical education programs:
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American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance: http://www.aahperd.org
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National Association for Sport and Physical Education: http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/
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American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/
Office of Safe and Healthy Schools
Florida Department of Education
November 2004
